Abstract
Interplay of area deprivation and individual socio-behavioral determinants of health for cognitive function among aging Hispanics in South Texas.
Stephanie Santiago-Mejias, PhD, Assistant Professor, Neuropsychology, UTHSA
Not well understood is how socio-structural determinants of living contexts associated with cognitive aging “act upon” and lead to ADRD; such knowledge could help identify Hispanic ADRD vulnerability/resiliency. This project examines this interplay among Hispanics in South Texas. Aim 1. Examine the association between neighborhood/community deprivation/socioeconomic status, individual socio-behavioral determinants of health, and cognitive decline and dementia. Aim 2. Identify spatial clustering patterns in socio-behavioral determinants/ADRD indicative of vulnerability/resiliency. The pilot will use data from the STAC (n=626, waves 2-5), with data collected by CAPAS investigators and part of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s (NACC) repository. Key variables are: clinically-determined AD (based on consensus review with extensive cognitive testing); physical activity, sleep quality, loneliness, social support; and census block group SES. The project will provide additional insight on the area-level socioeconomic status of the South Texas NACC cohort to inform health promotion/ outreach efforts in the region; it will deepen understanding of links between socio-structural conditions, behavior, and rich cognitive data in NACC. The project will further Dr. Santiago-Mejia’s expertise in socio-structural determinants and serve as the foundation of a larger study (and NIA grant application) using NACC, a centralized data repository involving over 35 ADRCs contributing data across 25 states (including STAC), allowing for a broader understanding of ADRD across Hispanic populations and across regions.